U.S. Senate resumes immigration debate

Jun 27,2007 00:00 by UPI

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate debate on the fractious immigration bill resumed Wednesday with 26 amendments as support lynchpins for both Democrats and Republicans.

The bill survived by a 64-35 vote Tuesday to continue debate but there are shifting loyalties in both parties depending on how the compromise amendments are handled, The Los Angeles Times reported.

A second acid test on whether to continue debate is expected Thursday and a minimum 60 votes are required to proceed.

Some conservative Republicans view the bill as granting amnesty to illegal immigrants, while some Democrats don't like its changes to the family-based immigration system, its border-security provisions or its impact on U.S. workers, the Times said.

Among those lobbying both sides for compromise on behalf of the White House is Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, a Bush administration official told the newspaper.

Meanwhile in the House, the Senate bill is unpopular among Republicans, with Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., telling a Tuesday news conference it was "dead on arrival," the Times said.